Only three more Premier League games at Goodison Park and Saturday's guests for the final time are current Champions and financial pariahs, Manchester City.
With off-field issues just as important as on-field performances in the modern-day Premier League, the alleged transgressions of this weekend's visitors put into sharp focus the extent of myriad changes to what used to be called 'Association Football' this ancient and now comprehensively outdated stadium has witnessed.
Everton will enter the contest with nothing to fear against the most successful Premier League club in recent years, but one that has seen something of a wobble as they have no chance now of retaining their crown as Champions.
The Blues were denied what should have been a deserved victory over current leaders Liverpool in 1st place, who won by a clearly offside goal; they earned a very respectable draw against Mikel Areteta's would-be challengers Arsenal in 2nd; and secured a fantastic late win at Nottingham Forest last weekend, when had been in a strong 3rd-place position chasing Champions League qualification.
Manchester City are clinging to the top group in 5th position, with seven teams vying for the five Champions League spots now granted to the Premier League for next season. But hanging over them, and once reported to be imminent, is a judgment from an independent tribunal on the 115 charges of financial and other breaches that Manchester City are accused of committing over many years. That crucial judgment may not now come until the summer.
But back to football where it should really matter — on the field — and David Moyes will be looking to build on the revolution he has put in place that now goes well beyond the famed 'new manager;' bounce — perhaps demonstrating that he has learned some important lessons in getting his current Everton team to challenge and beat top opposition without the defeatist psychology of taking a "knife to a gunfight" that far too often characterized his approach in a previous incarnation.
To that end, he may have more availability possible from Dwight McNeil, who's inch-perfect pass set up Abdoulaye Doucoure's excellent late winner at the City Ground last week. And big question marks continue over why more is not being made of Charly Alcarz, whose potential to influence play has been well demonstrated but who still sees his playing time limited at Everton before his loan deal expires.
Competition for the attacking lead remains strong but of limited proven effectiveness, with none of Broja, Beto or Chermiti finding the net for many weeks now. While Seamus Coleman appears to be fully fit again and will hopefully be granted at least one final cameo in front of the Goodison faithful. But Orel Managala and Jesper Lindstrom are both unlikely to reappear this season.
For the visitors, Phil Foden and Manuel Aknaji were seen back in training this week and could be fit after missing last weekend's win over Crystal Palace. But Ederson, Ake, Stones and Haaland will be missing for this last visit to Goodison Park.
Kick-Off: 3:00 pm BST, Saturday 19 April 2025
Referee: Simon Hooper.
Assistants: Adrian Holmes, Simon Long.
Fourth Official: Bobby Madley.
Video Assistant Referee: Darren England.
Assistant VAR: Scott Ledger.
Reader Comments (107)
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2 Posted 18/04/2025 at 14:36:44
Now approaching end of April and nothing.
There is no longer time for decision, potential appeal and outcome before the end of the season. Has a bit of a whiff about it…
City not at their best at the moment, good time to turn them over…
3 Posted 18/04/2025 at 15:20:14
I guess that if they are found guilty and subsequently docked points, that would happen next season. TBF - if what is being alleged is true, they should end up all the way down in League 1.
4 Posted 18/04/2025 at 15:20:32
Have you got a darts board with Doucoure's picture pinned to it.
The man who saved the club over £100m with a goal v Bournemouth and possible oblivion.
Our earliest and latest premiership goal scorer.
Hardest runner in the team, most athletic and only midfielder who poses a goal threat.
There is no disguising it, he is an awkward none technical footballer who is probably the most limited in the squad.
Ancelloti, Dyche and Moyes all start him. Only Lampard seen him as not fitting into his philosophy but as soon as he came back in we started winning and Frank was history.
What are the odds Moyes wants to sign him up again?
It will be a tough game tomorrow, city have to win to keep their champions league hopes alive.
I would drop broja for Beto and let the city defenders know they are in a game.
Coyb.
5 Posted 18/04/2025 at 15:35:30
Might be interesting to create a list (Nasty to Decent).
6 Posted 18/04/2025 at 15:45:44
7 Posted 18/04/2025 at 15:53:49
Six games left and we are safe. Would love to see Chermiti given a run. Or get shut ! He'll be 21 next month and if he's not ready by now 🤷
8 Posted 18/04/2025 at 15:56:46
9 Posted 18/04/2025 at 16:02:14
It's the only explanation that makes sense to me when you consider he's the only player (apart from Ndiaye) who can consistently influence our attacking impetus.
I thought his introduction last weekend made us look much more dangerous in the final third.
10 Posted 18/04/2025 at 16:24:32
Tomorrow. Same team starts !
11 Posted 18/04/2025 at 16:42:18
I wonder if Moyes doubts Alcaraz's character. From saints to Italy to Brazil and back to England in a couple of seasons should send alarm bells ringing.
No doubting his ability on the ball. It's off the ball that needs some focus and maybe off the pitch?
£17m is a snip in this day and age for a decent attacking midfielder.
Moyes was never one for throwing players in at the deep end. Even Rooney got the treatment.
12 Posted 18/04/2025 at 16:44:37
Moyes Ain't Gonna Alter
13 Posted 18/04/2025 at 16:49:37
14 Posted 18/04/2025 at 16:51:00
15 Posted 18/04/2025 at 16:55:22
16 Posted 18/04/2025 at 17:14:45
City are still very vulnerable defending, wide open at times so I think we can get something from this game.
17 Posted 18/04/2025 at 17:19:54
I think in a previous presser Moyes mentioned Alcaraz's contract terms was the driver in his starts decision. Could be off there, I am trying to avoid too much Moyesology.
18 Posted 18/04/2025 at 17:20:54
19 Posted 18/04/2025 at 18:22:18
20 Posted 18/04/2025 at 18:59:25
We are safe and so they can play relaxed but City are still in for a Euro spot and will be up for this. Sure they gave slipped over the last few weeks but gave Palace a 2 goal lead and a thrashing last week although poor Palace came back out and shipped in another five goals against the Barcodes.
I think Moyes probably has a good idea by now who he likes and who he doesn't so I think he will try to get the starting eleven out on the field who he favors.
Everyone has their own opinions about that and Alcaraz is a fine player and would probably get the start by other managers but Moyes will probably disagree with most after all he continually picked players in his first tenure who I disagreed with and I am sure a few others did too.
21 Posted 18/04/2025 at 19:02:42
mailto:enquiries@reachsportshop.com
22 Posted 18/04/2025 at 19:15:11
Keep those quiet, and with a pumped to crowd, I think we can take the 3 points.
Does that include Alcaraz from the start? I think its 50:50 as to whether he can do more damage being a game changer off the bench at 60 minutes vs him being on the whole game.
I expect Moyes to pick the following
Pickford
Obrien
Mykolenko
Branthwaite
Tarkowski
Gana
Garner
Doucoure
Mcneil
Beto
Ndiaye right
23 Posted 18/04/2025 at 19:24:07
Go out and be brave Everton. We may not have much to play for, but when the players cross that line, that shouldn't matter and they will want to win a game of football.
84-85 theme for tomorrow's banners and former players on the pitch. I can't believe it's been 40 long years since witnessing that glorious team.
Bring the points home Everton. Tomorrow, like the next two, will likely be a lot of supporters' last emotional trip to Goodison.
I always want us to win, no matter who we are playing and always believe we can win. But just perform and give it a go.
For those around, I'll make my way to the Harlech or one of the other regular haunts if the centre of gravity shifts. Most of you have my number.
Martin Dobson and Michael Ball will be in St Lukes with the Everton Heritage Society for those wanting to pop in.
24 Posted 18/04/2025 at 19:31:16
25 Posted 18/04/2025 at 20:03:48
Unfortunately that means more of the same, including Harrison and Doucoure, probably Beto up top. We all know what we’re getting with those 3, and it often ain’t pretty — ignoring last week — but points, plus not forcing us to buy Alcaraz with too many starts, probably are playing a big role in Moyes’s thinking.
No question we can take City down. Could also ship 5 goals, but will be good to see us playing without the stress of fighting relegation, as long as that doesn’t breed complacency.
26 Posted 18/04/2025 at 20:12:16
27 Posted 18/04/2025 at 20:17:34
28 Posted 18/04/2025 at 20:24:17
I expect Everton to defend resolutely and may be sneak a goal off a corner or free kick, as for the rest of the game City will see a lot of the ball around the eighteen yard area, they will have to convert that possession into goals and I hope that our defence holds out. A draw or narrow Everton win.
29 Posted 18/04/2025 at 20:26:22
30 Posted 18/04/2025 at 21:29:13
City are open to quick counter attacks in the wide areas.
31 Posted 18/04/2025 at 21:48:58
We need all the players fit and available for those remaining games to try anchovy's achieve European Football - a tall task. BUT one of the main things the players must understand is that they should not be picking up silly yellow cards at any stage of these matches, let alone in the first minutes of a game.
We have a number of players who are guilty of this, something that no doubt restricts their game but also puts them in danger of a red and missing important matches.
Tackle hard by all means, don't argue and in the heat off the moment err on the right side of the ref!!
32 Posted 18/04/2025 at 21:55:59
33 Posted 18/04/2025 at 22:29:10
34 Posted 18/04/2025 at 22:38:30
35 Posted 18/04/2025 at 22:40:00
It will be all about staying tight at the back and countering effectively. Beto can get in behind and Ndiaye can cause them problems. Having said that City have looked dangerous in recent weeks with De Bruyne in ominous form.
Hoping for a win but would likely be content with a point.
36 Posted 18/04/2025 at 23:53:43
A cock wakes up early Easter Sunday morning. He sticks his head out of the chicken pen and sees all these multicolored eggs all over the farmyard. He takes a look at the eggs, takes a look at the hens, takes another look at the eggs, he thinks about it for a minute, then he walks across the barnyard and kicks the shit out of a passing peacock.😁
37 Posted 19/04/2025 at 00:47:50
Because he doesn't want anyone to know he is a chicken fucker!
38 Posted 19/04/2025 at 03:46:45
About to head home. Early start, but the trains again have defeated me. If it's not strikes, it's engineering or a lack of staff.
So, car it is.
39 Posted 19/04/2025 at 07:07:53
Who came first?
40 Posted 19/04/2025 at 07:46:50
Break fast and unsettle them from the start, tick,
Respect yes, fear? not a bit of it,
Another 4 nil might be difficult, but 2 nil would do nicely.
41 Posted 19/04/2025 at 09:20:32
42 Posted 19/04/2025 at 09:31:34
Up the Blues !!!
43 Posted 19/04/2025 at 09:39:48
Pretty much like a happy rabbit-chicken I reckon.
44 Posted 19/04/2025 at 09:57:04
45 Posted 19/04/2025 at 10:15:09
Probably not the game to take chances with the line up. We'll need to be very defensively disciplined. That sounds like a bugle call for messrs Harrison and Doucoure. Bit boring, but probably right.
Interesting to see if he starts with Broja again.
46 Posted 19/04/2025 at 10:22:13
I suppose that seems about right, City are up and down and we we are very solid. Cue a draw.
We are not under the usual pressure now so its a hit to nothing, we might even enjoy the game for a change.
47 Posted 19/04/2025 at 10:30:48
48 Posted 19/04/2025 at 10:40:36
A vicar a priest and a rabbit are called to donate blood. The nurse says to the vicar “ what blood type are you” vicar says a+. The priest says b+ and the rabbit says I think mine is a typo. I will get me coat
49 Posted 19/04/2025 at 11:03:54
50 Posted 19/04/2025 at 11:13:22
COYB
51 Posted 19/04/2025 at 11:56:52
What they have left is still something to worry about and once again the Everton rearguard need to be up for it for 90 minutes.
C.O.Y.B
52 Posted 19/04/2025 at 12:09:04
53 Posted 19/04/2025 at 13:11:31
54 Posted 19/04/2025 at 13:49:45
Broja starts ahead of Beto.
55 Posted 19/04/2025 at 13:51:09
56 Posted 19/04/2025 at 13:51:11
57 Posted 19/04/2025 at 13:53:49
Get after them like chicken jockeys.
UTFT.
58 Posted 19/04/2025 at 13:57:40
59 Posted 19/04/2025 at 13:58:46
60 Posted 19/04/2025 at 14:07:32
61 Posted 19/04/2025 at 14:11:38
62 Posted 19/04/2025 at 14:14:27
63 Posted 19/04/2025 at 14:14:49
Danny (41), try nudging their arm when they are drinking their pint and you will probably find out! 🤪
Citeh have been hot and cold this season. Should be enough encouragement for the players to really want to show their mettle against them. Hopefully instructions to just forget the 1 point we ‘need’ and give it a right good go so that Goodison gets to showcase another bunch of great footballing memories.
Up the fearless Toffees
65 Posted 19/04/2025 at 14:20:37
66 Posted 19/04/2025 at 14:23:39
67 Posted 19/04/2025 at 14:35:41
68 Posted 19/04/2025 at 14:37:17
It's the imagination that gets you, eh.
69 Posted 19/04/2025 at 14:38:06
70 Posted 19/04/2025 at 14:45:31
71 Posted 19/04/2025 at 14:48:26
72 Posted 19/04/2025 at 14:49:04
73 Posted 19/04/2025 at 14:50:56
74 Posted 19/04/2025 at 14:52:57
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.
75 Posted 19/04/2025 at 14:53:25
76 Posted 19/04/2025 at 14:54:06
77 Posted 19/04/2025 at 14:55:22
78 Posted 19/04/2025 at 14:56:20
79 Posted 19/04/2025 at 14:56:58
80 Posted 19/04/2025 at 14:57:28
81 Posted 19/04/2025 at 14:58:08
82 Posted 19/04/2025 at 14:58:48
83 Posted 19/04/2025 at 14:59:29
84 Posted 19/04/2025 at 15:01:56
85 Posted 19/04/2025 at 15:02:13
Any team news.
Thanks for link.
86 Posted 19/04/2025 at 15:04:21
EDIT - Seems to be working now - for now, anyway...:-)
2nd Edit - no it ain't. Just crypto :-(
87 Posted 19/04/2025 at 15:04:30
88 Posted 19/04/2025 at 15:04:40
89 Posted 19/04/2025 at 15:05:48
90 Posted 19/04/2025 at 15:06:16
Best to you John Mc Sr.
91 Posted 19/04/2025 at 15:07:27
92 Posted 19/04/2025 at 15:09:10
93 Posted 19/04/2025 at 15:09:23
94 Posted 19/04/2025 at 15:09:56
95 Posted 19/04/2025 at 15:10:00
96 Posted 19/04/2025 at 15:10:04
97 Posted 19/04/2025 at 15:10:27
98 Posted 19/04/2025 at 15:10:54
99 Posted 19/04/2025 at 15:11:49
100 Posted 19/04/2025 at 15:12:23
101 Posted 19/04/2025 at 15:13:07
102 Posted 19/04/2025 at 15:13:16
103 Posted 19/04/2025 at 15:13:30
104 Posted 19/04/2025 at 15:14:31
105 Posted 19/04/2025 at 15:18:49
106 Posted 19/04/2025 at 15:21:07
107 Posted 19/04/2025 at 15:21:44
108 Posted 19/04/2025 at 15:24:19
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1 Posted 18/04/2025 at 14:32:01